Operations Management: Processes and Supply Chains, 12th Edition
by Lee J. Krajewski, Manoj K. Malhotra, Larry P. Ritzman
The Kanban System
One of the most publicized aspects of lean systems, and the TPS in particular, is the Kanban system developed by Toyota. Kanban, meaning “card” or “visible record” in Japanese, refers to cards used to control the flow of production through a factory. In the most basic Kanban system, a card is attached to each container of items produced. The container holds a given percent of the daily production requirements for an item. When the user of the parts empties a container, the card is removed from the container and put on a receiving post. The empty container is then taken to the storage area, and the card signals the need to produce another container of the part. When the container has been refilled, the card is put back on the ...
Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.
Read now
Unlock full access